Heidi Klum has long been celebrated not only for her striking appearance but also for her impressive business savvy. Born in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany in 1973, she was introduced to the world of glamour at an early age—her mother worked as a hair stylist, and her father held an executive position at a cosmetics company. In 1992, Heidi entered the “Model 92” competition in Germany and won a contract with Metropolitan Models in New York, marking the beginning of her modeling journey. Her popularity continued to grow, and in 1997, she married stylist Ric Pipino. That same year, she signed with Victoria’s Secret as an “Angel” and made her debut on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition the following year.
Although Heidi and Pipino divorced in 2002, her professional trajectory remained upward. That same year, she hosted her first Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on CBS, a role she would reprise multiple times. Then, in 2004, Heidi took on a new challenge by becoming the host and executive producer of the hit reality competition Project Runway on Bravo. The show, which ran from 2004 to 2017, became a major success, both critically and commercially, and gave aspiring designers the chance to showcase their talent and launch their own fashion lines. Around the same time, she also appeared in the film Ella Enchanted as Brumhilda.
In 2005, Heidi married musician Seal, continuing to balance her personal life with her growing career. By 2006, she had launched a successful jewelry line for Mouawad, which quickly sold out through QVC. She expanded her fashion ventures in 2008 with a clothing line for Jordache, and in 2010, she introduced maternity collections—Lavish by Heidi Klum for A Pea in the Pod and Loved by Heidi Klum for Motherhood Maternity.
Heidi also explored other television opportunities, hosting and executive producing Seriously Funny Kids on Lifetime in 2011. Throughout her career, she often embraced playful on-screen roles, including her memorable portrayal of wealthy socialite Ulee Danssen in a two-episode arc on Parks and Recreation from 2009 to 2015. Following her divorce from Seal in 2014, Heidi continued to thrive personally and professionally. In 2019, she married musician Tom Kaulitz and signed on as an executive producer for the reality series Making the Cut, which premiered on Amazon in 2020.
Heidi Klum has been part of several movies, but one of her most praised works is The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004). On the other hand, one of her films that didn’t receive as much acclaim is Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (2011). While Heidi Klum is widely known for her contributions to the entertainment industry, these two films represent the range of her roles in cinema. Heidi Klum’s performance in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers is often highlighted as a standout moment in her filmography. In contrast, Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil is generally regarded as one of her less successful projects. Whether it’s through Heidi Klum’s modeling career or her acting roles, her work continues to draw attention from fans and critics alike.